Your best bet in a used car will be a well-maintained American car. I don't want to get into the U.S./rest of the world "discussion" being held on other threads. I'll just say that proper maintenance has more to do with a car's trouble-free operation than where it is made. Right now, there are some decent American cars out there, but perception has not caught up with the reality, so American cars suffer more depreciation than many foreign cars. As a buyer of a used car, you can take advantage of that. Some of the cars you might want to look at include the Ford Taurus, or just anything midsize or larger from GM. I'm guessing that, since you got to the age of 16 without being a "gearhead," you mostly want a comfortable, reliable car. These will do the job. They shouldn't cost a fortune for insurance, either. Mikie is right -- even if you're paying for your own insurance, it will be cheaper to piggyback on your parents' policy than it will be for you to go solo. Ask about discounts if you get good grades in school or are willing to drive only a certain number of miles per month, etc. Finally, what else I wish I'd known about cars at your age? Having a car is a joy and a privilege -- and a responsibility. As a teenager, you have the benefit of quick reflexes and (I hope) formal training. You can be an excellent driver. But there's no substitute for experience -- especially at night in the rain and on icy roads. I knew how to steer out of a skid -- until the first time I found myself in one and narrowly missed a fence as I spun into a farmer's field. It's different when it really happens. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you're immortal (every teenager thinks so; so did I). You're in control of almost two tons of metal and glass and plastic, so be careful. When I was 16, nobody had cell phones and we were lucky if the car had an FM radio, nevermind multi-channel stereo systems and iPod links and the like. I know teenagers are better at multi-tasking than they used to be, but you still have one primary task in a car -- driving. Don't be distracted by fiddling with the stereo or talking with friends. It's okay to concentrate on driving. Professional auto racers do. Have fun! Getting my first car was a blast. I hope you find one you really like and have many happy miles with it.

The liability might not automatically cover the rental car because somebody else could be using your car while you are gone, meaning you'd be insuring two cars for the price of one. It depends on the laws of your state. If your agent says that liability DOES extend to the rented vehicle, ask them to point it out in your policy. When it comes to insurance, if it's not in writing it isn't true. Credit card coverage is usually very good, but again be sure to read all the fine print. There are likely to be "exceptions" and "exclusions." Plus, it usually covers damage to the rental only. Keep in mind that even though credit card coverage would pay for repairs, the rental company will still want to collect the daily rate from you while the vehicle is out of service. Typically, the insurance will NOT cover that.

Every state is different, you should check out your states department of insurance website to see which companies write in your state. If you have your home and auto together you will always do better. As for your current policy, this is the one I sell daily, your agent could have just told you going from a multiple car policy to a single car policy is the most expensive one out there. The single remaining car lost the benefit of the 2nd car, it's factored into the household composition and now that premium will increase. I don't mean to be insensitive but if you've recently gone from married to another classification that will also affect the rate. Check to see if they have the preferred package discount - paperless billing, it can add up to 15% discount if your state has it. Not all states have the discount though. If your not happy with your agent, you don't have to stay with them, you can call the general 800 number and request another agent. If you've been with that company for a while you may have things in your policy that you will certainly have to re-establish with a new company. I can tell you more if your interested.

Sometimes brokers, not being tied to one company, can shop around and find better rates than one can get from a tied agent ... and one can check the offerings of the tied agents, as well, (e.g. Allstate, State Farm, etc., I think). Read the contracts carefully, as the coverage may vary substantially, as well. Also, the costs aren't the only consideration ... good idea to ask around among friends to learn what kind of experience one has with various carriers when one makes a claim. Ask friends also about their premium rates - and coverage. Check my Christmas gift. If you could afford to replace your car if it were totalled, you might choose to carry no coverage in case of collision (i.e., that'll fix your car in case of an accident where no one else at fault). My car is 22 years old and I haven't had collision insurance on it for my 2 year ownership ... or on the '93 Taurus that I got about 4 years ago and was totalled within a couple of years (I have "no fault" insurance, so, the reason for the accident having been adjudged to be not my fault, my company paid their evaluated value of that make, model and year of vehicle) or the '90 Dodge Colt that I had for about 7 years ('98 - '05) before that. Have you checked Consumer Reports? Some people swear by their gradings (and I think that some swear at them). Maybe buy a/some share(s) of Berkshire Hathaway "A" or "B": the B shares, 1/30th of the value of the original "A" shares, sell for about $3,300. Then buy your insurance from Geico ... and let some of your premium return to you as profit. Since Berk Hath doesn't pay dividends, you won't have any ongoing income on which you'll need to pay tax (but the share values have grown nicely, over the years: the "A" shares, now selling for around $100,000. could have been bought for about $12.00 in '65, when Warren Buffett took over) and they last paid a dividend of about a dime a share in 1967. Do you have a financial calculator? I figure that that investment of about $35.00 is one of the best investments that we all, as managers of our own private money, should make. When I enter "present value" as "$12" and enter the period of investment as "44 years", then enter "future value" as "$100,000", then ask for the rate of interest/growth involved ... it tells me that the average compound rate of growth has been >22% (if you figure 45 years to next year, it being now so close ... still >22%). To calculate that figure on your regular calculator, enter "1.22 X 12 =" and it will show that after 1 year your value has grown to $14.64. Press "=" again and it will show that after 2 years to $17.86; press "=" again and after 3 years to $21.79. After 11 years - $106.939; after 19 years $524.829; after 23 years $1,162.67; after 31 years $5,706.05; after 34 years $10,361.32 ... ... and after 44 years ... sorry, it appears that I goofed, as it shows a result of only $75.685.637 ... and it makes only $92,336.477 after 45 years, not the $100,000. - but it grows to $112,650.50 after 46 years. So - to grow to $100,000. after 44 years means that the percentage rate was a bit higher than 22%! Not something that you'd complain about, I'll bet! Caution: growth rates of stocks are not smooth: sometimes they grow quickly for a short while, sometimes take a large drop (e.g. over 30% for many during the past year) ... and sometimes drag along for substantial periods with little change. However - you can see what the cost may be of delaying starting an investment program for just one year - as the chop-off is one year shorter, at the end. Unless you added more from time to time as you went along. And how much tax have you been required to pay over those years? Since 1967 - nothing! What's the most important component in building wealth? For most of us, in most circumstances ... time! ole joyful P.S. I used Berkshire Hathaway by way of illustration: I'm not suggesting that that company's shares might be a good investment for your program. And future rates of growth (or loss) may vary substantially from past results. o j